She relaxed against his back, enjoying the sights of Sandy Cove as they sailed through the sleepy beach community. She could feel his strength and confident control of the bike. Turning her face up toward the clear, sunny sky, she experienced a sensation of exhilaration. Without thinking, she gave Trevor a little squeeze. He looked back with a smile as he pulled up in front of the Primrose Palace.
“Wow! That was fun!” she exclaimed, grinning and running her fingers through her tousled hair.
“I almost lost you on that turn!” he teased and winked.
She laughed and bopped him on the arm. As they walked into the restaurant, she was immediately enveloped in a myriad of delicious aromas. Trevor convinced her they should buy a variety of entrees and share them all. She felt a little guilty having him pay for everything, but this impromptu dinner caught her off guard, and she didn’t have any cash.
He didn’t seem to mind at all, making some comment about how rare it was for him to be able to share a meal with such a cute little kitten. Twenty minutes later they were back on the bike, bag in hand, returning to the shore.
Steve was thrilled when Roger suggested he take the evening off. “You’ve been working too hard on this case, Steve. It will still be here on Monday. Go home and spend some time with that lovely wife of yours.” Steve didn’t need his arm twisted. He organized his paperwork, purposely left his briefcase beside his desk, and headed for home.
The house looked quiet as he drove into the driveway. The garage door yawned slowly open revealing the absence of Michelle’s car. “Hmmm, wonder where she could be?” he thought to himself.
Max must have been wondering the same thing. He let his feelings be known as soon as Steve stepped into the kitchen. Max was clearly hungry, and Steve was his only hope.
“Give me a second, boy,” Steve chided. He put the mail on the kitchen table and noticed the cutting board on the counter with an empty cheese wrapper and an apple core. His note from the morning explaining that he would be working late was still by the coffeemaker, but there was no note from Michelle to explain her absence.
He picked up his cell phone and punched in her number. A few seconds later, he heard the familiar chime of Michelle’s phone coming from upstairs. He found it plugged into the charger by their bed. “Great,” he muttered. “Guess it’s not a dead battery this time,” he informed Max with a note of sarcasm. “Okay pal, let’s get you some food.” Max agreed wholeheartedly and pranced behind him to the pantry for his meal.
Steve sat down and started to read the mail while the cat inhaled his Liver Delight. Then Steve’s stomach started growling. “What am I going to eat, Max?” he wondered aloud.
Max did not even look up from his bowl, not the least bit concerned about his owner’s dilemma.
After a few minutes, Steve’s stomach got the best of him and he decided to make himself some dinner. He found a frozen meal in the freezer and put it in the microwave. Glancing at the clock, he noticed it was after six o’clock. He wasn’t sure if he should be worried about Michelle or not. It wasn’t like her to be gone this time of day, but she had been spending a lot of time at that bookstore. Maybe she’d decided to grab a bite to eat with her friend, Starla.
Although Steve was disappointed she wasn’t home, he could hardly blame her since he’d told her he would be home late. He ate his dinner in front of the television, watching the news with Max curled up beside him on the couch.
“Thanks for dinner, Trevor,” Michelle said sincerely. “It was fun talking with you and getting to ride your motorcycle.”
“The pleasure was mine,” he replied smoothly, and then smiled his angular grin. “I’ll see you at class next week!”
“Okay!” she agreed, adding, “I’ll talk to Steve about that conference in Idaho.”
“You do that,” he encouraged. “You’ll be amazed to see what is happening in the scientific community. I know you’d be fascinated. This marriage between science and spirit has been a long time coming.” He started to walk away and then turned back. “Drive carefully,” he added protectively as she climbed into her car. She smiled and waved as she pulled away from the curb.
He’s a great guy. I’m glad we’re becoming friends.
She was surprised and disconcerted when she arrived home and saw Steve’s car in the garage. “I wonder what time he got home?” she asked herself aloud.
When she walked into the kitchen, she heard him call out, “Hey, babe! Is that you?”
“Hi, honey!” she answered following his voice into the family room and giving him a kiss. “What are you doing home?”
“Roger gave me the evening off, so I decided to surprise you. I guess I was the one to be surprised. Where have you been?” he asked with a slight edge to his voice.
“I had dinner with a friend I ran into at the beach,” she replied.
“Anyone I know?”
“Just a friend from my class at the bookstore.”
“Oh,” he said, distracted by something on TV.
She breathed a sigh of relief when it was clear he wasn’t going to ask any more questions. In spite of the fact that her time with Trevor had been innocent enough, something made her feel uncomfortable about Steve finding out. She decided to wait to talk to him about the conference in Idaho.
Michelle’s grandmother sat up in bed. Glancing over at her husband sleeping peacefully beside her, she noticed the digital clock on the night stand said 2:00. Something was troubling her deep in her spirit. It was Michelle. She was in some kind of trouble. Joan could not explain it, but she knew. She could feel it in her bones.
Dear Lord, what is it? she whispered in the recesses of her mind. When no clear answer came, she did the only thing she knew to do—she prayed. Hugging the comforter to her chest as if she were cradling Michelle to her heart, she pleaded with God to watch over her precious granddaughter and to bring her safely through whatever was happening.
A few stray tears escaped the corners of her eyes as she thought about the first time she held Michelle in her arms. Such a tiny newborn with pink cheeks and a shock of dark wavy hair. She remembered the look in her daughter’s eyes. Sheila was in awe as she gazed at her adorable new daughter, and John had been so proud that his whole countenance was aglow!
Please, Lord. You know what Michelle needs. Help her, Father. Give her strength and wisdom. And please keep her safe! Joan prayed fervently in her spirit.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Teacher’s pet!” Monica teased as she and Michelle climbed into her car after class.
“What are you talking about?” Michelle asked defensively.
“You know very well what I’m talking about. Relax, Michelle. I’m just jealous because Trevor is so enamored with you.”
Michelle could feel her color changing. “I think you’re imagining things,” she said, hoping to brush off the whole issue.
“Well, maybe I am, but he sure seems to focus on you more than any of the rest of us,” Monica replied. “Don’t you notice how he always looks at you first when we discuss something, and how he loves to use you as an example during his demonstrations?”
Michelle shrugged her shoulders and twisted her hair. Monica was her best friend in Sandy Cove and she wanted to tell her about her dinner at the beach with Trevor, but a part of her felt so guilty about it, even though she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong.
Thankfully, Monica decided to change the subject. “How about a hot fudge sundae at The Igloo?” she suggested.
“Now you’re talking,” Michelle replied, smiling with relief.
Michelle checked the answering machine on her landline when she got home. There were two calls. One was from her father. It was a little strange. Something about a business trip and to expect something in the mail from him. He closed with his usual “hugs ya lots, kiddo!” sign off, but it rang a bit hollow in his weary voice. She made a mental note to call home that evening.
The next message was from Trevor. “I got the info in the mail a
bout Idaho. Call me.”
Short and sweet. Michelle looked in the full-length mirror and asked herself why she always got so flustered at the sound of his voice or the mention of his name. She was glad that she’d gotten the message before Steve got home. Punching the erase button, she smiled at Trevor’s attention. He made her feel special, especially with Steve so busy at work all the time.
“After all, it’s perfectly harmless,” she reassured herself as she gazed at the wedding photo on the end table. “Steve is around women at work all the time. It’s no big deal.”
She picked up the phone and returned Trevor’s call. He seemed distant at first, but then rallied with his usual warmth when she identified herself.
“Would you like to meet to go over this brochure? Sorry I didn’t get it in time to bring to class, or I could have just given it to you there,” he explained.
“I don’t know, Trevor. I just got home, and I’ve got laundry and dinner to think about.”
“In the vast expanse of human events, is laundry and dinner really that important?” he teased. “Seriously though, I think you should look this over and discuss it with Steve. The conference is filling up quickly, and I’d hate for you to miss it.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Well, let me throw in a load of laundry and put the chicken out to defrost. Can I meet you somewhere in about twenty minutes?”
“How about The Igloo?” Trevor suggested.
“I just got back from there with Monica,” she replied.
“Great minds think alike,” he quipped. “Then let’s make it the Coffee Stop.”
“OK, I’ll be there in about twenty minutes,” she said with a smile.
“See ya, kitten!” Trevor replied, and he hung up before Michelle could tell him not to call her that. Somehow it seemed too intimate. Oh well, she’d tell him when they met.
John picked up the pen and signed his name. He read over the letter one more time to make sure it said those important things that were on his heart.
Dear Michelle,
Hi, honey. I wanted to write this letter to you to explain some things. I’m going away for a while on business, and I’m not sure when I’ll be home. But before I go, it’s important to me that you know how special you are. There was never a happier day in my life than the day you were born. I mean it, Mimi. Holding you in my arms while you squinted and wiggled was a magic moment. I’ll cherish it forever.
This is a very difficult time for me. Many things are happening that I do not understand. It’s too complicated to explain to you, and I don’t want to burden you with my problems. Just know that everything will be all right somehow. But I must get away to think and sort it all out.
While I’m gone, please keep in touch with your mother. Tim tries to get together with her for lunch once or twice a month, but you know how busy your brother gets. Besides, your mom really misses having you close. Just try to call her as often as you can. I know I can count on you, sweetheart.
Please know how much I love you, Michelle. It’s hard to be a dad sometimes. There are so many things you want to say, but the words get lost. Anyway, for all the times I meant to say it and didn’t, I love you with all my heart.
Hugs ya lots, kiddo!
Dad
John smiled sadly. He folded the letter neatly and inserted it into the waiting envelope. Sealing it and giving it a gentle kiss as he stared off into space, he began to walk mechanically out to the mailbox.
Michelle and Trevor sat across from each other at a tiny table for two. Michelle was looking over the brochure for the conference while Trevor studied her. “Has anyone ever told you that you have the most mysterious eyes?” he asked.
“Knock it off, Trevor,” Michelle giggled, her heart racing. “You’re embarrassing me.” She started to reach up to twist her hair, but caught herself and brought her hand back down.
“No, I mean it. There are many secrets behind those windows into your soul. I’d like to explore them.”
“Well, for now, how about if we explore this brochure you brought about the conference,” she countered.
“Okay, okay. Have your way, Mystery Lady,” he sighed with a twinkle in his eye.
They spent the better part of an hour reading about and discussing the various seminars advertised in the multipage glossy brochure. The ones most intriguing to Michelle included: Dream Analysis; Meditation and Wellness; Numerology; Yoga and the Psyche; and Holistic Evolution.
Trevor suggested that she also consider one particularly fascinating workshop on higher consciousness being conducted by a well-known guru of BlendTherapy and a lecture on reincarnation given by a Hindu professor from the university in New Delhi.
Michelle listened carefully to all that he said. She was fascinated by this new world that was being presented to her. For a time, she forgot her uneasiness with him and allowed herself to relax. His enthusiasm was contagious, and she was glad she had him as her guide. Surely Trevor knew more about all this than her, and she should follow his lead.
A question that had been tucked away in the back of her mind resurfaced. “So what ever happened with you and Trisha?” she asked.
Trevor looked off into space for a moment. Then he returned his gaze to Michelle. “She went her way and I went mine. We weren’t destined for a long-term relationship, but our time together was magical. I owe her my life.”
“Do you ever talk to her?”
“Only if I run into her at a conference or seminar. She speaks at some of the healing workshops.” He looked into her eyes and added, “You remind me a little of her.”
Michelle saw a sorrow, a longing in his expression. She asked, “Do you think you’ll ever get married, Trevor?”
“Me? No. Not likely.” He smiled a crooked grin and winked at her. “I’m not the marrying type, kitten.” He glanced down at her wedding band. “It’s great for a small percentage of people who find their soul mates, but for the most part, I think it’s an outdated institution. The people I respect and spend most of my time with are not into those kinds of trappings. Live and love and move on.”
Michelle glanced away and caught sight of the clock on the wall. “Speaking of moving on, I’d better get going.”
Trevor smiled with that same longing she’d seen before in his eyes. He patted her hand before rising to pay the bill.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she smiled. “This one’s on me.”
He graciously accepted her gesture and then accompanied her out to the parking lot. As he climbed onto his motorcycle, Michelle thought about how comfortable she was finally beginning to feel with him. Still, a part of her was uncertain how Steve would view this new friendship. They’d never really discussed friendships with the opposite sex.
Although she wanted to clear the air and make sure he wouldn’t have any bad feelings about her friendship with Trevor, she wasn’t ready to talk to him about it yet. She wasn’t willing to take the risk of having him ask her to break off ties with him. Trevor was more than a friend. He was her mentor. And he made her feel special.
Dinner was ready and the table nicely set when Steve walked in the door. He relished the fragrance of the meal and the warmth of the candlelight as he slipped off his shoes and went looking for his bride.
He found Michelle up in the bedroom changing into a beautiful, soft, lavender-colored velour lounge outfit. It accented her shiny, dark hair and made her look so inviting. He held her chin between his thumb and forefinger and kissed her gently.
She responded with a warm smile and a loving embrace. His fondness for her grew each day and seemed to subtly replace that exhilarating “mad about you” feeling with a deeper kind of stable love and affection.
“How was your day, babe?” she asked affectionately.
“Okay. How ’bout yours?”
“It was good, but I got a weird call from my dad. He seemed really down.”
“Were you able to cheer him up any?” he asked, pulling his tie loose and beginning to change from his suit
into jeans and a sweatshirt.
“No. I didn’t actually talk to him. He left a message on the machine while I was out,” she explained. “Monica and I went to yoga together and then had a sundae at The Igloo.”
“That’s nice,” he said, glancing in the mirror and running his fingers through his hair. “Speaking of food, what’s for dinner?”
“My grandma’s chicken potpie. You’ll love it,” she promised. “It should be ready in about ten minutes. I’d better get down there and check on it.”
Steve retreated to the family room to watch the news while Michelle finished the dinner preparations. It really did turn out to be a delicious feast—flaky piecrust filled with steaming chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce, a sumptuous Caesar salad with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and giant croutons, and small bowls of canned peaches in heavy syrup.
They enjoyed a quiet dinner together in front of the television, and then Steve collapsed on the couch with a catalog about fishing equipment that had arrived that day in the mail. He flipped through the pages, dreaming of a vacation on a quiet lake somewhere, while Michelle cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher.
It seemed like Michelle was doing more and more of the after dinner chores by herself these days. Steve wandered into the kitchen, came up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist.
She turned and kissed him on the cheek. “That was a nice surprise,” she murmured softly.
“I love you, babe,” he said. “Let’s sneak away somewhere together. Just the two of us.”
Out of a Dream (Sandy Cove Series Book 1) Page 9
